Give Me a T

Texas legislators addressed an important legislative priority last week when the state House of Representatives passed a bill that would restrict "overtly sexually suggestive" cheerleading routines. H.B. No. 1476 would give the state education agency power to punish schools that allowed such routines at sporting events.

"People are calling and telling me how disgusting it is to see sexually suggestive routines on the part of marching units or cheerleaders," said the bill's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Al Edwards. First, Al, I'd like to know what kind of sexually suggestive routines a marching band could engage in, and second, shut up.

No definition of the term "overtly sexually suggestive" is provided in the bill. Edwards suggested that "[a]ny adult that's been involved with sex in their lives, they know it when they see it." When pressed for examples, he noted that cheerleaders had reportedly been "shaking their behinds, breaking it down." It could be broken down only in less suggestive ways, should the bill be passed by the Senate.

Several lawmakers reportedly waved pompons during the debate on the bill, which passed the House 85-55.

AP via Findlaw.com
CNN
Texas House of Representatives